It's that time of the year again when the aviation enthusiasts, high flyers, forward thinkers, established business aviation masters and young aviation entrepreneurs gear up to gather at one of the most significant convention of the industry. The annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) is back. Taking place this year at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport from October 22 to October 24, 2019, it is an ideal to get the knack of the latest in the field and also cease multiple networking opportunities. This premier event and annual meeting place for the business aviation community brings together key aviation contacts from around the world, including current and prospective business aircraft owners, manufacturers and customers into one meeting place. At the same time, it allows one to witness business aviation's most important annual event, where participants have an unparalleled opportunity to view the latest business aircraft, products, technology, and services that the industry offers.

Through all these years NBAA-BACE has been at the core of not only channelizing the business aviation industry but also in establishing its pace for the future. This year too NBAA-BACE has several aspects to it that will surely set the tone for the business aviation industry's way forward.

The annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) is back. Taking place this year at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport from October 22 to October 24, 2019, it is an ideal to get the knack of the latest in the field and also cease multiple networking opportunities.

Innovative Future

One of the new features of NBAA-BACE 2019 is the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Innovation Display Area. Focused on dynamic, forward-looking technology this area promises to display the future of aviation.

"The UAM/UAS Innovation Display Area is an opportunity to showcase emerging technology and meet first-hand with representatives from the pioneering companies on the forefront of UAM, UAS and eVTOL[electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing] initiatives. By focusing on these exciting new innovations, NBAA is essentially creating an emerging technology conference within the bigger convention and exhibition," said Mike Nichols, CAM, CAE, NBAA's senior vice president of strategy and innovation.

At this Display Area, peruse mockups and technology exhibits from the following companies shall be present:

• Airbus – Vahana
• Bell – Nexus
• Boeing Horizon X
• Bye Aerospace
• Honeywell
• Jaunt Urban Air Mobility – ROSA
• Nexa Advisors
• Uber Elevate/SAFRAN
• XTI – TriFan 600

There will also be NEXA Advisors showcasing the results of their recent UAM infrastructure study and its implications for future integration.

Educating for the way forward

Aside from future technologies, NBAA-BACE 2019 will also offer a premier networking venue and several educational sessions. The event aims to feature several education sessions and even panels related to new technology. Some of these sessions are:

• The Future of Urban Air Mobility
• Bring on the Future: AI, Urban Mobility and Business Aviation
• Urban Air Mobility: Here Sooner than You Might Think
• Integrating Emerging Technologies into the NAS
• Autonomous Flight

One of the leading independent global supplier of aviation fuel and services, Avfuel will be providing SAF to transient business jets traveling to the Convention in Las Vegas, in partnership with FBO Avflight at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) in Kansas.

"NBAA-BACE attendees will have the ability to learn and engage in some very important issues facing business aviation right now, hear from nearly a dozen exhibiting companies releasing new products and see how those future developments will affect the industry. Technologies such as electric propulsion and artificial intelligence are converging, and these sessions will provide valuable information to help the industry determine the effect of the technologies on operations and the next generation of business aircraft" said Tyler Austin, NBAA senior manager, certification.

The NBAA-BACE Innovation Zone will also conduct a session about how remote-piloted unmanned aircraft will co-exist with the current business aviation fleet.

The event will also witness significant discussions on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). An education session has been specially designed to "set the record straight," on the fuels' value, while talking about benefits and potential drawbacks, as well as simplify technical elements of SAF and its approved process for daily operations.

One of the leading independent global supplier of aviation fuel and services, Avfuel will be providing SAF to transient business jets traveling to the Convention in Las Vegas, in partnership with FBO Avflight at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) in Kansas. The SAF at SLN will be available beginning October 17; Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Embraer, Textron Aviation, and Dassault, along with some other private operators have reportedly committed to fueling with the SAF en route to the show.

"These technology displays and related education sessions will give all attendees an opportunity to learn more about the current progress in these technologies, the next steps in development and implementation and potential benefits to business aviation in the long-term," added Nichols.

"These technology displays and related education sessions will give all attendees an opportunity to learn more about the current progress in these technologies, the next steps in development and implementation and potential benefits to business aviation in the long-term," said Mike Nichols, CAM, CAE, NBAA's senior vice president of strategy and innovation.

New Product Showcase

Talking about changing the scenario and re-creating the business aviation industry, NBAA-BACE 2019 will also be the testimony to a first-of-its kind New Product Showcase, a comprehensive presentation of business aviation's newest and most distinct products.

11 inventive business aviation companies will be featuring their products at this Showcase. Each of these products is either new-to-market or about to be launched, giving NBAA-BACE attendees yet another peak into the future of the business aviation industry.

The companies presenting at the New Product Showcase are:

1. Aero Crew Solutions
2. AeroLEDs, LLC
3. ALLProtect for Aviation
4. CCX Technologies
5. Foreflight
6. Gogo Business Aviation
7. Jeff Bonner R&D, Inc.
8. Scott International Procedures
9. Schedaero
10. Textron Aviation
11. Thales

"More than ever before, NBAA's convention will be characterized by new product announcements, underscoring how the show is a reflection of and driver for the industry," said Nichols. "Our inaugural New Product Showcase will be a key venue for us to place a spotlight on some of these exciting developments. The lineup will feature a wide array of new offerings from companies of all types and sizes, from all parts of the world."

NBAA-BACE will also be the platform for the launch of JETNET for Salesforce, a new product that integrates JETNET's comprehensive database and search capabilities with the Salesforce app for subscribers of both services. JETNET LLC is among the world leaders in business aviation market intelligence. Through a series of new products and upgrades, JETNET will be demonstrating their full suite of software products and services at NBAA-BACE.

Emerging Technologies Committee

Another additional facet at NBAA-BACE will be the first ever meeting of the newly articulated, Emerging Technologies Committee that will discuss the additional goals and tasks. The committee has been formed with a plan to deal with a number of issues that are present in front of the aviation technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems, urban air mobility, unmanned traffic management, commercial space and other future technologies and infrastructures.

Considerations about autonomous operations, electric propulsion and other innovative technology and specifically, the integration of these new technologies into the National Airspace System will also be among the subjects that the committee will deliberate upon.

With the focus on rule-making, standards-setting and policy-related activities, the aviation professionals who make up this committee are sure to be the ones driving the future of aviation safety and policy.

NBAA also recognizes young leaders who have the potential to shape the future of the industry and the 2019 Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 had been unveiled by the association earlier. The recipients will, however, be recognized at NBAA-BACE 2019.

Bombardier's latest addition

A global leading manufacturer, Bombardier had announced that it will be exhibiting its newest member of the Learjet family, the Learjet 75 Liberty, with a full-size interior mock-up at the NBAA-BACE 2019.

"This mock-up will truly show light jet customers just how spacious and comfortable our newest Learjet is. The Learjet 75 Liberty offers a larger cabin and superior performance for the same price as competitors, and it's certified to a higher safety standard," said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft.

The full-size interior of the Learjet 75 Liberty shall be showcased at Bombardier's static display at NBAA-BACE and will allow visitors a unique opportunity to experience the features that set this light jet apart.

Bombardier Business Aviation leaders will also be discussing program developments for the Global 7500, Global 5500/6500, Learjet Liberty and Challenger 350 aircraft, as well as highlighting infrastructure and product developments, including training, parts services and technical sessions.

Significant sessions from other manufacturers and operators will also be witnessed at the exhibition.

Gulfstream

Alongside its unparalleled fleet of aircraft, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. will showcase a selection of customer-centric digital design tools at the NBAA-BACE 2019. The company will provide the visitors with a chance to tour the Gulfstream fleet. The Gulfstream static display will be adorned by the award-winning Gulfstream G500, the all-new Gulfstream G600, the record-breaking Gulfstream G650ER, the high-performing Gulfstream G550 and the super-midsize Gulfstream G280. An interior design studio complete with samples of bespoke leathers, fabrics, tiles and cabin accessories will also be exhibited at the static display.